In this issue of Building & Construction Review, we are delighted to select Solent Streetworks Consultants for our Commitment To Excellence.
The Direct Line Group reported back in 2022 that the number of road works across Great Britain had increased by 10% from 2019 to 2021, with a staggering estimated 55,000 miles of road works completed over the past three years. With an estimated 41.2 million registered car users across the UK (an increase of 1.3% from the previous year), according to the RAC Foundation, there is increased pressure on road surfaces. Motorways and all A-roads must be resurfaced every 10-12 years by law, as the combined impact of heavy traffic, heat, rain and air cause ongoing damage.
In addition to mandatory resurfacing, road works are also necessary for pothole repairs, white line and chevron painting and utility maintenance, repair and installation.
With the Data Age demanding more gigabits per second, the current analogue phone system: Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) is on schedule to be fully replaced with fibre-based digital technology across the UK by the end of 2025. This will see a proportional increase in road works, whilst this necessary telecommunications upgrade takes place.
Solent Streetworks & Consultants Ltd is a New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 (NRSWA) Street Works consultancy, offering highways and traffic management solutions across England, for all utilities services.
Working across Hampshire, the South and nationwide, the Southampton-based company is gearing up for a busy two years of telecommunication road works, during the nationwide fibre roll-out. This is addition to existing work within the Roadworks, Highways and NRSWA Street Works industry, with all utility services. Working in partnership with utility contractors, Local Authorities and groundwork contractors, Solent Streetworks Consultants are universally trusted with its leading turnkey utility solutions.
We spoke to Managing Director: Andrew Waight for greater insight, “We work with all the utility services: water, energy (gas), power and telecommunications, adhering to the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 (NRSWA) and Traffic Management Act 2004.”
“We provide a ‘turnkey’ multi-utility back-office Street Works solution, along with the supply of Utility STATS/Safe Digs and traffic management plans. We attend site meetings and carry out surveying work on the existing telecoms infrastructure.”
Our business model is flexible enough to cater to each of our clients’ individual needs, as what works for one, won’t necessarily work for another. We have an excellent track record for minimising and mitigating and risks of Section 74 overstays (S74’s) and Fixed Penalty Notices (FPN’s).
“The team has a collective, combined experience of over 25 years in the industry and are dedicated to providing the best possible service for our clients. We have a strong bond and have built-up excellent relationships with Local Authorities across the country and these aid us to meet our clients’ deadlines and targets.”
“We have furthered our industry relevant qualifications and knowledge, including becoming a CHAS Approved Business, accredited through the CITB. We are also a member of INCA – Independent Networks Co-operative Association and SCTE® (the Society for Broadband Professionals).”
Solent Streetworks Consultants work across three main areas:
- Street works planning
- Road works co-ordination
- Traffic management
Firstly, within street works planning, the dedicated team manage all the planning and project management for the planned dig-phase, in close conjunction with local highway authorities, utility companies and contractors. This includes intricate details, such as managing permits and verifying works comply with the all-important New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 (NRSWA) and the Traffic Management 2004. The flow of project management is managed effectively though early risk assessment, to enable the successful scheduling, permitting and health and safety, through to pre-construction planning, street works planning, watertight co-ordination throughout.
Secondly, Solent Streetworks Consultants ensure highly-effective road works co-ordination, to get our roads moving as quickly as possible. Through targeted, proactive co-ordination, the team assist Local Authorities, utility companies and contractors across England with planned street and road works. All managing and co-ordinating of permits is carried out in a seamless, professional manner.
Thirdly, Solent Streetworks Consultants deploy traffic management solutions, also known as road traffic control logistics in a manner conducive to exemplary health and safety standards. The bespoke traffic management plans are engineered to comply with all local and highway authority legislation. With a growing number of requests for road closure, in the form of pot holes, resurfacing roads, utility installation and routine maintenance throughout any given year, Solent Streetworks Consultants are on hand to offer expert guidance throughout.
The Southampton-based consultancy company was established six years ago and has grown in stature over the years. The last twelve months has been busy for the company, including attending the prestigious Street Works 2023 UK Awards in the Members Dining Hall at the Houses of Parliament during October 2023. The annual event celebrates the best from across the industry, in true style and ceremony.
The Street Works UK Conference 2023 then took place in November 2023 at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole. With attendees from across the industry, including Local Authorities, Government officials, it was the perfect opportunity to consider the challenges facing the industry post fibre-based digital technology installations.
We asked Andrew how it felt to be selected for our Commitment To Excellence, “We are always striving to better ourselves and deliver the best possible services to our clients, along with furthering our knowledge of any changes to any legislation. We employ three key qualities across our company: diligence, innovation and proactive planning, ensuring we bring expert, co-ordinated solutions to our partners.”
“Although we work on nationwide contracts, we believe in supporting local businesses and as such, we are proud to declare our latest sponsorship portfolio: Southampton Football Club. We are also proud to announce that we recently secured numerous sponsorship deals with a local non-league football team – AFC Totton. They’re enjoying a particularly successful period and over the last 12 months have secured the Southern League Division One South & West title in the 2022/23 season, among other accolades. We also sponsor Hedge End Town FC.”
For more information, please see the details below:
T 023 8098 6303
enquiries@solentstreetworks.com
https://www.solentstreetworks.com